Sinn Féin - On Your Side

British challenged over Press Briefing

Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin has accused the British government
of 'being in denial over their Good Friday Agreement commitments and
responsibilities'. Mr. McLaughlin's remarks came after the publication of a
letter sent to journalists in the USA by the British Embassy in Washington.

Mr McLaughlin said:

"In this communication to journalists in the US from the British Embassy
there is an attempt to narrow the entire crisis in the peace process to the
single issue of what they describe as 'republican paramilitaries'. No
mention is made of ongoing unionist paramilitary violence and the letter
claims that there are indications that both unionist parties, the DUP
included, are ready to share power. No evidence of course exists to support
this.

"The most telling part of the document is of course the omission of any
responsibility for the current crisis in the peace process being laid at the
door of Tony Blair or his government. Attempts to reduce the crisis in the
peace process to the single issue firstly of 'paramilitarism' and now on
'republican paramilitarism' will not work.

"It is dishonest and it ignores the effect which the continuing failure of
the two governments, but particularly the British government to honour
pledges and commitments has on confidence in the process.

"Sinn Féin are willing to discuss in a constructive and open fashion all of
the outstanding problems in the peace process. But this must be done in the
round and not through pretending that only one obstacle remains." ENDS